The Mississippi State University chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon will see a judicial board to answer for an incident last semester involving alcohol and hazing on campus. Although, MSU officials were unable to confirm or deny any incident had occurred, the fraternity’s regional representative, Khris Kendall, was able to confirm that an incident occurred in December.
The Reflector contacted Chris Mundy, director of communications for Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Fraternity. Mundy said that Kendall is working with the chapter and the university to help resolve the matter involving alcohol and hazing.
Assistant director of Student Life Heidie Lindsey said she was unable to confirm what Mundy said.
“That is confidential information,” Lindsey said. “So, I cannot confirm that information.”
Assistant dean of students Thomas Bourgeois said no hearing was set for Monday night and would not say when a hearing was or even would be set.
“We are having training for judicial board members Monday,” Bourgeois said.
Bourgeois said that if a hearing was made and the information was of concern to the public, a press release would be made afterward.
Vice President for Student Affairs Roy Ruby said he could not discuss the matter due to confidentiality.
“Judicial hearings involving a student or an organization are confidential,” Ruby said. “They are not open to the public. If at any time we feel we need to make a statement, we will make an appropriate statement at an appropriate time.”
Fraternity President Will Choake was unavailable for comment.
Students or organizations charged with violating MSU policy must go before a judicial board and answer to the charges.
The individual or group may enter a guilty or innocent plea. If an innocent plea is entered, the group will then undergo a trial-like procedure. If the group pleas guilty, the board will review the facts and make a decision based on those facts.
“When an organization violates MSU policy, a disciplinary hearing can insure,” Dean of Students Mike White said. “Generally, IFC (interfraternity council) would hear the case if it was a greek organization.”
White said there is a judicial board in the IFC that takes care of issues within greek organizations.
“Generally, facts are presented to the board (IFC),” White said. “The Board then ascertains responsibility and levys sanctions. Sanctions are levied on a case-by-case basis.”
White said that most organizations are suspended, but they can reestablish themselves.
If the judicial board hears the case and suspends the fraternity, this will be the second fraternity to be suspended in one academic year.
MSU’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity was suspended Nov. 19 for an incident Nov. 1 that involved alcohol. The fraternity was reestablished Jan. 3 after petitioning for readmittance.
When Phi Delta Theta was suspended, members were forced to move out of their house. The members were given an option to pay to live in MSU housing at Herbert Hall until the Christmas Break.
If the fraternity is brought before an IFC judicial board this week, the facts and details will not be an open matter unless the facts are considered necessary for public knowledge.
“These are confidential hearings,” Ruby said.
Although the facts are confidential, the specifications of the charges are not.
MSU defines hazing as “a person or organization who, in the course of another person’s initiation into or affiliation with any organization, intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other peron or to a third person.”
MSU has a policy that is devoted only to hazing, which can be found in the policy book or on-line. The policy strictly states that hazing is “prohibited. Physical hazing violates statutes of the state of Mississippi.”
The actual charges against the fraternity are not known at this time. The Reflector will follow this incident as the story unfolds.